"I didn't see it. I'd like to see the images first," he told a press conference.

Tabarez also suggested Suarez was being victimised by journalists.

"He is the preferred target for a lot of media," Tabarez said.

Pressed on the issue, a visibly irritated Tabarez refused to condemn Suarez. "This is a football World Cup, it's not about cheap morality."

But senior FIFA officials wasted no time in condemning the striker.

"There is no doubt Luis Suarez is a fantastic footballer but once again his actions have left him open to severe criticism," FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce told the BBC. "FIFA must investigate this incident very seriously and take whatever action is deemed necessary."

If found guilty, the incident means the end of the tournament for Suarez, lambasted during the 2010 World Cup for his goal-line handball which denied Ghana what would have been a quarter-final victory.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez holds his teeth after running into Italy's Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24.